Paula Botet (FRA) kicks off 2025 with a bang: As the overall leader of the IBU Cup, the 24-year-old was invited to race the World Cup in Oberhof (GER) last week. And she wastes no time.
In her first World Cup competition in two years, at the venue considered to be one of the most challenging on the entire world Cup circuit, Botet shows no respect for the established elite. The rising star goes straight for the top of the podium and secures the victory with a statement. She is more than half a minute faster that the next racer, and one of only four racers with a perfect ten at the range.
“I can’t believe it. It’s amazing. I don’t have words to express how I feel,” says Botet, who has battled her way back from a year riddled with injuries. “I felt like I was flying!”
Fun fact: Botet is the daughter of Yannick Bothe, one of the first coaches of Martin Fourcade.
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Photo by: Nordic Focus
Also at the IBU World Cup in Oberhof, Sturla Holm Lægreid (NOR) bags his first World Cup victory of the season, the 14 in his career, winning the pursuit on Saturday. The 27-year-old moved up from sixth place in the sprint, where fellow Madshus racer Emilien Jacquelin (FRA) was third.
On Sunday, Lægreid races the first leg in the mixed relay, handing off in first place and setting his team up for what ends up as being third overall.
At the IBU-Cup in Arber (GER), comeback-kid Sivert Bakken (NOR) cruises into second place in the sprint and collects his second podium for the season.
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At the FIS cross-country circuit, Helene Marie Fossesholm (NOR) continues her impressive comeback journey.
Despite arriving straight from the Tour de Ski and still recovering from illness, the 23-year-old sweeps up three straight victories at the Scandinavian Cup in Falun (SWE) and returns with a free ticket to the rest of the World Cup season.
“The biggest takeaways are that my body can handle three hard races in the days, and that I am recovering well. That’s hugely different from the last three seasons,” Fossesholm says after last race in Falun.
Featuring an incredibly competitive and deep field the hattrick in Sweden is a huge boost of confidence heading into the Norwegian national championships later this week, where spots on the Norwegian team to the 2025 FIS World Championships in Trondheim are on the line.
Related coverage: The wildest comeback: Look who’s racing Tour de Ski!
Photo by: Nordic Focus